The Kota Baru division has nominated incumbent vice president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man to challenge Abdul Hadi Awang for the PAS president post.

This is the first nomination against Hadi, who has held the post for 15 years.

Kota Baru division chief Wan Rahim Wan Abdullah announced this after a division committee meeting at the Kelantan capital tonight.

The division’s annual assembly earlier gave its committee members the mandate to decide nominations for the biennial PAS elections this June.

When contacted, Wan Rahim said he is certain that Hadi ( left ) will not defend his post because of poor health.

"This is my personal belief. He was hospitalised in Istanbul, warded at Institut Jantung Negara, health is a factor.

"I have been following him and I know this is a burden (for him).

"So (we) nominate Tuan Ibrahim because this is someone who he himself taught and has confidence in," he said.

The division said they chose not to nominate "controversial figures" like vice-president Husam Musa and deputy president Mohamad Sabu for the sake of unity.

"We cannot bear another split like in 1982," he said, referring to the resignation of PAS president Asri Muda which split the party into two.

Factional wars

The party constitution requires PAS members to have at least two nominations to contest any position.

A total 27 positions are up for grabs at the central level.

Factional wars within PAS are heating up in the lead up to the polls, resulting in a physical assault against central committee member Dzulkefly Ahmad last week.

There was also a leaked recording purportedly of PAS number two Mohamad plotting to oust Hadi.

Mohamad responded by saying that he will only answer to the party’s investigation committee.

Hadi is under fire for allegedly trying to steer PAS away from Pakatan Rakyat, while Mohamad and Dzulkefly are seen to be pro-Pakatan.

The PAS elections will be held during the 61st PAS general assembly from June 4-6.